Atletico prepare ban defence

Madrid club claims logic on their side

Last updated: 14th October 2008

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Atletico Madrid intend to defend themselves against Uefa's decision to ban them from hosting next Wednesday night's UEFA Champions League fixture against Liverpool at their Vicente Calderon home.

Atletico have been ordered to play their next two Champions league matches at least 300 kilometres away from Madrid, as well as being fined 150,000 euros (£120,000) by Uefa, following crowd trouble and racist abuse during their win over Marseille earlier this month.

"When we have all the details ready, we will make a public statement," Atletico director Clemente Villaverde told his club's official website.

Logic

"We are going to defend Atletico Madrid as we have always done because logic is on our side. We also have the full backing of the Spanish Football Federation."

Atletico have until noon on Friday to respond to Uefa's sanction, which includes the possibility of a third match being moved if there is further trouble at the Vicente Calderon stadium within the next five years.

The timing of Uefa's decision to move the fixture against Liverpool has been criticised by the Anfield club with over 3,000 fans having already made arrangements to travel to Madrid.

And the move has also disappointed striker Fernando Torres, who was keen to re-visit his former club.